NBN Online for the week of March 21, 2005

(Plain Text Version) for full graphical version, click here.

In This Issue:

Front Page
• Green-Built Community Turning the Tide in Atlanta
• NAHB Scores Success in Early Round of Code Hearings
• Inside Nation’s Building News: More News You Can Use
Layouts for Living
• Floor Plans for Sloping Terrain, Maximum Exposure
President's Message
• NAHB Is Your Business Partner
Politics & Government
• House Bill Addresses ESA Habitat Designation Problems
• House Committee Passes Association Health Plan Bill
• Energy Bill Would Provide Tax Credits to Builders
• Builders to Carry Storm Water, ESA Concerns to Capitol Hill
Economics & Finance
• Housing Starts Peaked Again in February
• March Finds No Loss in Builder Confidence
Business Management
• The Cost of Unproductive Employees
• Protect Yourself and Your Staff From Burnout
Seniors Housing
• What Builders Should Know About Customer Satisfaction
Multifamily
• Index Finds Multifamily Market Gaining Strength
Remodelers
• ‘Move vs. Improve?’ – Help Your Customers Decide
Tips
• Builders’ Tip: Coping With Mini-Grinders
Education
• Education Calendar
Green Building
• Awards Focus on Leading Edge of Green Building
Workforce housing
• Non-Profit Provides Affordable Homes in Metro Atlanta
Building Systems
• Concrete Home Building Council Cements Two New Relationships
• Speakers, Presentations Sought on Systems-Built Housing
Labor
• RCA Series Makes the Grade
Building Products
• Best Reliable Pet Story to Win Fancy Pet Playhouse
Coast to Coast
• Need a Building? Just Add Water
Builder's Engineer
• Darn You, Ted Nugent
Association news
• Simulation Program Wows North Carolina Students
• Bobby Rayburn Receives Commitment to the Industry Award
• NAHB Spring Board Meeting Set for April 11-17
• Robson Seeks Office of NAHB Vice President and Secretary
• Get GM Discount on More Than 80 Vehicles
• Mark Your Calendars for the Sunbelt Builders Show
• Help Tsunami Survivors Rebuild Their Homes
• Subscribe Your Employees to Nation's Building News
• Calendar of Events

Top Story

Green-Built Community Turning the Tide in Atlanta

In at least one Atlanta community, fire officials have acquiesced to the growing popularity of narrowing local streets so that pedestrians
[MORE]

Lumber Prices Provided by Random Lengths
Framing Lumber Composite $ 420 no change $ 0
OSB Composite $ 438 down $ 5
Southern Pine Plywood Composite $ 555 up $ 3
With Permission from: RandomLengths.com

Layouts for Living

Floor Plans for Sloping Terrain, Maximum Exposure

Lone Star Custom Homes ― CA. Studio Architecture
(www.johnbrooks.com) — (www.ca-studio.com)

Reflecting a Sense of Need and Place: This 5,250-square-foot residence draws its energy from its surrounding views and from how the sun interacts with the spaces within.

Bowing to individual home owner needs, the single-family residence can be realized in various scales with interchangeable interior spaces and custom preferences to suit the client and blend with the site’s topography.
[MORE]
 

NAHB Scores Success in Early Round of Code Hearings

In the first round of hearings to determine what amendments will be made to the 2006 editions of the International Code Council (ICC) building codes — including the International Residential Code (IRC) and International Building Code (IBC) — NAHB defeated scores of costly, unjustified proposals that would have eroded housing affordability.

[MORE]

Inside Nation’s Building News: More News You Can Use

Inside this week’s edition of Nation’s Building News, find news you can use about all aspects of the housing industry — economic, technological and legislative news; information about how to manage your business and more. Plus, check out the latest builders' tip from Fine Homebuilding, as well as the latest advice from resident Builder’s Engineer, Tim Garrison.

And don’t forget to subscribe your employees to Nation’s Building News so they can get the news they need to know at their desktop, too.

Housing Snapshot
Interest Rates  
  30-Yr. Fixed: 5.95% 15-Yr. Fixed: 5.47% 5 Yr. ARM: 5.31%
  1 Yr. ARM: 4.20% Libor (3 months): 2.53% Prime: 5.5%
Housing Starts*  (February 2005)
  Total: 2.195 million Single: 1.775 million Multi: 420,000
Home Sales*  (January 2005)
  New: 1.106 million Existing: 6.81 million  
Median Home Prices  (January 2005)
  New: $199,400 Existing: $189,000  
* Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate

 

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